Al
Groh has done a remarkable job rebuilding
the Virginia football program in a very
short time. He has brought in two outstanding
recruiting classes and is poised to add
a third. Groh played 10 true freshmen last
season, and he says the 12 he red-shirted
are comparable in talent. In short, Virginia
is now possibly the most talented team in
the ACC.

The
Cavaliers are not National Championship-caliber
… yet. Defense is their main issue. Finishing
100th in overall defense for all of I-A
by allowing 425 yards per contest will not
get any team into the BCS, let alone a competitive
conference's crown. They will win or come
close in the ACC, a title which would validate
Groh's hard work. The recently upgraded
facilities in Charlottesville combined with
a developing track record of success make
Virginia a national power many will overlook.

The
slate starts off with easier games until
their seventh tilt. Then FSU, NC St, Maryland,
Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech make up the
last half of their 2003 challenge. Virginia
should have its secondary in place and confidently
playing as a unit once these five are on
tap. But there is too much talent for Virginia
to sweep their tougher foes. They will escape
by season's end with no more than three
losses.

When
coaching 18-22 year olds, it is easy to
allow confidence to displace actual quality-play.
Knowing how much better they will be by
2004, look for this group to look past beatable
opponents and lose close ones as the secondary
learns. They may under-achieve, yet will
develop extensively and win enough for a
New Year's Day bowl appearance. One to Groh
on, so to speak.

Virginia
will feature the returning ACC Offensive Player
of the Year from 2002, senior quarterback Matt
Schaub. He set school records with 3,010 passing
yards and 28 TDs while completing nearly 70% of
his passes. Schaub is not a scrambler, but his
size (6'5", 235 lbs.) makes it difficult
for a single defender to bring him down. He does
not possess the strongest arm, but his uncanny
accuracy is a perfect fit for the Cavaliers' offensive
system. He has an inherent touch on short, precision
passes to the running backs and tight ends. Offensive
success is practically guaranteed if he again
throws only 7 INTs in nearly 400 tries. Not enough
can be said about the player who made this passing
game 7th ranked in 2002 overall efficiency.

The
Cavaliers' feature running back will be sophomore
Wali Lundy, who gained nearly 1,700 all-purpose
yards in 2002 between his rushing, receiving,
and kickoff return duties. He will need to continue
that type of production against the top teams
for Virginia to have a big season, which should
happen if he stays healthy. Speaking of health,
junior Alvin Pearman (5'10", 194 lbs.) is
a capable backup to Lundy if he can stay on the
field. Junior Marquis Weeks (5'11", 206 lbs.)
also played well in spot duty last season, giving
Virginia a deep, talented group of running backs.
FB Jason Snelling emerged in his freshmen year
to surprise all with 31 receptions. He should
be Groh's choice to open holes. He can occupy
LBs regardless as he cannot be ignored in defensive
schemes. Snelling need only put more onto his
225 pound frame to secure a starting spot. Otherwise,
look for senior returning-starter Kase Luzar to
lead the way. He rolls over defenders, but isn't
looked to for much ball handling. Either way,
this position is a 'strength' and will compliment
the O-line well, regardless.

The
Cavaliers' offensive line is one of the best in
the ACC, featuring four returning starters. Three
are outstanding. C Zac Yarbrough (junior, 6'4",
275 lbs.), who worked his way up from fourth string
into the 2002 starting lineup, will be joined
by returning pancake-maker Kevin Bailey (junior,
6'6", 294 lbs.). Bailey, who can play at
any OL position, was considered one of the best
offensive linemen in the nation until he tore
up his knee. LT D'Brickshaw Ferguson (sophomore,
6'5", 265 lbs.) will need to bulk up this
spring. His weight had dropped down to 250 by
late in the season, much too small for a major-college
OT. Let's not forget Elton Brown, who just may
be the most dominant lineman on either side of
the ball. This group is proven adept at both run
blocking and pass blocking despite starting two
sophomore and two freshmen most of 2002. With
another year together and the return of Bailey,
this will be an outstanding unit. Their stability
will be key to getting the passing game going.
The O-line's 22 sacks allowed will improve, meaning
the receivers can establish their longer routes
and become the deep threats needed.

Virginia
will need to fill a gaping hole in their receiving
corps following the graduation of Billy McMullen,
the second leading receiver in ACC history. Senior
Michael McGrew (6'2", 200 lbs.) will be the
go-to-guy this season, but he won't be able to
fill McMullen's shoes. The Cavaliers did not look
to throw the ball downfield much last season,
but they at least had the threat. This season,
defenses will play tighter to the line of scrimmage
unless McGrew or one of the younger receivers
surprisingly emerges as a big-play threat. But
with Schaub at the helm, it could easily happen.

Head
Coach Al Groh still has to replace departed Offensive
Coordinator Bill Musgrave, who took the same position
with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Musgrave received
much of the credit for the development of Matt
Schaub and effective play calling. With much of
last year's personnel returning this season, Groh
will need to make a selection that will maintain
the continuity of the offensive system or else
risk taking a step back. We will keep you updated
on any hires.

QB
Matt Schaub

VIRGINIA
2003 DEPTH CHARTReturning Starters in bold

OFFENSE

QB

Matt
Schaub-Sr (6-5, 240)

Anthony
Martinez-Fr (6-3, 249)

FB

Kase
Luzar-Sr (6-2, 236)

Jason
Snelling-So (6-1, 228)

TB

Wali
Lundy-So (6-1, 212)

Marquis
Weeks-Jr (5-11, 210)

WR

Ryan
Sawyer-Sr (6-2, 209)

Marques
Hagans-So (5-10, 207)

WR

Michael
McGrew-Sr (6-2, 200)

Art
Thomas-Sr (6-2, 205)

TE

Heath
Miller-So (6-5, 254)

Patrick
Estes-Jr (6-7, 262)

OT

D'Brickashaw
Ferguson-So (6-5, 265)

Tom
Howell-Jr (6-4, 286)

OG

Brian
Barthelmes-So (6-7, 286)

Ron
Darden-Fr (6-4, 309)

C

Kevin
Bailey-Sr (6-6, 293)

Zac
Yarbrough-Jr (6-4, 275)

OG

Elton
Brown-Jr (6-6, 333)

Mark
Farrington-Jr (6-2, 280)

OT

Brad
Butler-So (6-8, 274)

Davon
Robb-Fr (6-8, 259)

K

Connor
Hughes-So (6-0, 178)

Kurt
Smith-So (6-1, 181)

2003
DEFENSE

written
by James Johnson

Despite
losing their two leading tacklers, Virginia's
linebackers are talented and aggressive, even
if a bit young. They are led by sophomore Darryl
Blackstock (6'4", 226 lbs.), who successfully
made the transition from high school DE to collegiate
OLB. He led the nation's freshmen with ten sacks
(an ACC freshman record) and totaled over 100
tackles. The pressure is on him to maintain production
without Crowell or Robertson to draw helmets away
from him. He will be up to the task.

Adding
depth to the linebacking corps are two players
originally signed in 2002, Ahmad Brooks and Kai
Parham. Parham fought a back problem last season,
and Brooks was ineligible, but these two highly
touted recruits will see significant playing time
this season.

The
Cavaliers, who play a three-man defensive line,
return all three starters. The key player here
is junior DE Chris Canty (6'7, 290 lbs.). Canty
led all ACC defensive linemen in tackles with
86 as he recovered three fumbles. He was slowed
early in 2002 while recovering from a broken leg
suffered in spring drills. His presence was critical
in developing a very strong defense against the
run, with opponents averaging only 3.5 yards per
carry. Canty will team with sophomore DE Brennan
Schmidt (6'3", 274 lbs.) and junior NT Andrew
Hoffman (6'5", 282 lbs.) to form a strong,
athletic defensive line which will again be very
difficult to run on. Their ability to occupy blockers
by requiring double-teams will give the linebackers
a lot or room to roam, make plays, and disrupt
opposing offenses. Many are skeptical after allowing
opponents 4.6 yards per rush and having the 108th
ranked run-stopping show in I-A. Maturity on the
line with these LBs should go a long way toward
reversing those numbers. If
an offense can fend off the surge of Virginia's
front-seven, they will find the Cavaliers' secondary
highly attackable.

Virginia
loses S Jeron Evans, and doesn't appear to have
a playmaker to replace him. Two seniors will start
at CB, Almondo Curry (5'8", 178 lbs.) and
Jamaine Winborne (5'10", 206 lbs.). They
are both solid cover men, but their height makes
it difficult for them to match up man-to-man against
bigger receivers.

Willie
Davis (6'2, 185) started last year as a freshman
and will hold down one safety spot, while junior
Jay Dorsey (6'2, 191 lbs.) has the inside track
for the other. Neither player figures to be a
standout and, by default, each will be wearing
a bulls-eye as the likely targets for offensive
coordinators' game plan(s). Overall, the secondary
will not give up excessive big plays, but they
won't make them either. A team that can control
the Cavaliers' pass rush will be able to utilize
a ball-control passing game to move the ball.
This group will be in trouble in man-to-man if
eight go into the box.

Neither
linemen, Schmidt nor Hoffman, recorded any 2002
sacks. They have the build to put up a few each,
and they cannot rely on LBs to cover this base.
If LBs are required to put pressure on opposing
QBs, the susceptible secondary will never establish
its presence as a unit.

DE
Chris Canty

VIRGINIA
2003 DEPTH CHARTReturning Starters in bold

DEFENSE

DE

Brennan
Schmidt-So (6-3, 269)

Braden
Campbell-So (6-5, 278)

NT

Andrew
Hoffman-Jr (6-5, 285)

Melvin
Massey-So (6-2, 262)

DE

Chris
Canty-Jr (6-7, 280)

Kwakou
Robinson-So (6-4, 327)

OLB

Raymond
Mann-Sr (6-1, 233)

Jon
Thompson-Jr (6-1, 219)

ILB

Bryan
White-Jr (6-2, 227)

Ahmad
Brooks-Fr (6-4, 249)

ILB

Rich
Bedesem-Jr (6-2, 232)

Kai
Parham-Fr (6-3, 238)

OLB

Darryl
Blackstock-So (6-4, 230)

Dennis
Haley-Jr (6-1, 241)

CB

Almondo
Curry-Sr (5-8, 175)

Marcus
Hamilton-Fr (6-0, 187)

CB

Jamaine
Winborne-Sr (5-10, 202)

Tony
Franklin-Fr (5-11, 186)

S

Willie
Davis-So (6-2, 185)

Lance
Evans-Fr (6-4, 200)

S

Jermaine
Hardy-Jr (5-11, 208)

Jay
Dorsey-Jr (6-2, 191)

P

Tom
Hagan-So (6-2, 176)

..

2003
SPECIAL TEAMS

Both
of Virginia's 2002 kicking positions were manned by
freshmen, so they will have experienced specialists
returning this season. Connor Hughes received his shot
at the placekicking job and made 5 of 6 attempts, with
a long of 47 yards. He will be a valuable weapon in
close ACC games, winning a few for Al. Punter Tom Hagan
kicked to a mediocre (at best) average of 36.7 last
year, with a team net of 30.2, 107th in I-A. Groh will
not accept it lightly if his special teams perform again
at this level.

The
kickoff returns will be ably handled by Marquis Weeks,
who returned one 100 yards for a touchdown. Wali Lundy
and Willie Davis also enjoyed some success returning
kickoffs last season, giving the Cavaliers unusual depth
at this position.

Establishing
strong candidates to fill Marques Hagan's KO return
slot will be a priority in spring practice. More on
this as it develops.

Last year's backup QB Marques Hagans will
see more time at WR this fall, putting his
athletic abilities to good use. He is far
too talented to be standing on the sideline,
and his presence outside the tackles will
boost the Cavalier offense. This move has
promoted RSF Anthony Martinez to the #2
QB spot, where he will get some stiff competition
from incoming frosh Kevin McCabe RB
Marquis Weeks carried the ball often and
effectively this spring. Given the Cavs
like to throw the ball to Wali Lundy, it
is important that guys like Weeks, Michael
Johnson and Alvin Pearman stay healthy and
provide a salubrious stable of backs behind
him Incoming recruit, Jordan Lipsey,
might see time at center this season, if
injuries persist on the offensive line.
That gives the Cavaliers three solid players
who can suit up at the position Al
Groh has been cross-training players at
two positions, creating the ultimate depth
scenario. Maybe most notably is Kase Luzar,
who focused more at TE, leaving Jason Snelling
the lead at FB.

Redshirt frosh Kai Parham has wowed coaches
and teammates alike with his stellar play
at "Mike" linebacker this spring.
Groh says the offense had a hard time throwing
a block on him, allowing him to move freely
and engulf ball carriers. The status of
his classmate, Ahmad Brooks, is uncertain.
Brooks found himself in legal trouble this
May and his playing status is unknown. He
would certainly be a great product for this
defense, as he is being touted as "the
next LaVar Arrington". I'm telling
ya, this is a STRONG group at LB Safety
Jermaine Hardy has shifted over from CB
to give Virginia a dose of "healthy
aggressiveness" as well as defensive
intelligence in the back four. Tony Franklin,
who is normally a tailback, has been practicing
at CB this spring and will likely see time
as a backup this season. With so much depth
at the TB spot, Franklin's athleticism will
be much more appreciated in the secondary.
Safety Art Thomas has been moved to WR this
year, in an effort to bring out the talent
and speed he possesses.

It
shouldn't be hard to find Ryan Sawyer this
season. In addition to offense, you'll see
#37 on every special teams unit this fall
With Hagans' move to WR, the 'Hoos will
now be able to keep him back deep returning
punts - an area he proved to do very well
in last season.